Combination cigarette case and lighter



22, .1930. '7 BARNES 1,771,202,

COMBINATION CIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER Filed Jan. 19. 1929 INVENTOR.

l. JosqahLBarzws,

BY mflwz ATTORNEY.

Patented July 22, 1930 UNITED STATES JOSEPH 1:. BARNES, or CHICAGO, ILLIuoIs communion CIGARETTE case AND LIGHTER Application filed January 1e, 1929; Serial No. 333,641.

The present invention relates to cigarette cases and lighting devices therefor, and aims to provide a novel and unique combination of cigarette case with lighting mechanism en- 5 closed therein in such a way as to operate automa'ticallyto provide a light for igniting a cigarette ready for use. a Y 7 One of the primary objects of theinventio is to devise a construction of thischaracter 10 in which the lighting mechanism is adapted to be operated automaticallyby spring tensionproduced by relative movement of the cigarette case sections, and said spring tension being set in operation to effect operation 15 of a lighting mechanism at a certain interval of the relative movement between the case sections, as for example atthe beginning of the closing movement of the case.

Accordingly, I have-devised a combination cigarette case and lighter construction in which the spring tension created for operating the lighting mechanism is produced by the relativemovement of the case sections, and the operation of the lighting mechanism is restrained by means of a detent element until the beginning of the closing movement of the case sections, when this detent element is automatically releasedto permit the'op- 'eration ofthe lighter mechanism for igniting purposes. V 1

Withthe foregoing general objects in View, as well as various minor objects as will appear in the course of the detailed description, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one of the preferred forms of embodiment of the same, after which those features deemed to be novel will be set forth and claimed,

In the drawing Figure 1 is a plan View showing a combination cigarette case and lighter embody ing the present invention, and in open position;

Figure .2 is an end edge View of the same;

Figures 3, 4: and 5 are enlarged detail sectional views, representing sections taken on the lines IIIIII, IVIV and V-V, ret spectively of Figure 1, but Figure 5 showing the device in closed position; and

which is-ipivotedintermediate itsvend, as at 29 :toia stud or post projectingup. from one Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view ofthe wick-holder construction. r 1

Referring now to the drawing in detail, thisillustrates a cigarette casecomprising the usualfolding sections 8connect'ed by a hinge structure 9, the interior of the cases being provided with, space for cigarettes 10 and any preferred form ofretaining means such as lilnin'gs orpockets 11 as shown in F igure a vi In the-present construction, the lighting mechanism comprises a fcompactform of receptacle or container 12 for providing asupply of ignitable; liquid such as.benzene, which is fed into igniting position by means of a .6! wick element 14 the exposed end of which is embraced'by a suitable holder 15 screw-fitted into a nipple 16 communicating withthe receptacle12.j j t The wick is exposed in position opposite to the igniter or spark-emitting device which comprises a piece of pyrophoric material 18 maintained by anysuitable form of holder 20 in engagement with'a striker wheel 22 connected with orformed as a partgof a cog wheel 23 rotatably ,mounted upon anpostJor stud24; as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5.; Allvthe parts of the lighting mechanismare compactly located alongside the hinge structure 9 and separated from-th erpockets or spaces for the cigarettes 10 bysuitableflanges 25. y I V Thecog wheel or gears 23 is meshed with a short gear segment 26 Jpivotally H connected, as at 27 to one endof a leaf spring element 28 face of the receptacle 12., Atthe opposite end ofthe leaf spring element 28 ,'it;is pro- .vided with aswivel'connection, as indicated Nat-73 0: with a short linkele ment having a- 1* bowed portion 31 for projecting past the hinge structure 9,-and for the purpose of'mak ing "pivotal connection,. -as indicated at 32 with afixed lugor bracket34 at the opposite side ofthe hinge 9 from thespring 28.

The construction j ust described is adapted, by the closing movement of the sections S-of the cigarette case to, move tl evspring eleirnent 2 8 andthe gear segment 26 into' the p sit n illustrated in Fig re 1! 1 we??? time the cog Wheel or gear 23 has been idly rotated in engagement with a pawl or detent element 36 which is pivoted upon a stud 37 and held by a suitable spring element 38 with the tooth of the detent in engagement with the wheel 23. Now as the sections 8 of the case are opened, the wheel 23 will be held against rotation by the detent element 36, hence producing a tension in the spring leaf 28 until said detent is released. This release is brought about by a shoulder 39 forming a part of the hinge structure 9 and engaging one end of the detent and operating in the initial part of the closing movement of the sections 8 to push the detent out of engagement with the Wheel 23. By this means, the

spring 28 is released, and operates through the segment 26 to impart a quick rotative movement to the wheel 23 and striker 22, thereby producing the usual spark from the material 18 to ignite the wick 14 which is located in the path of the spark. The construction is such that after the detent 36 has been thus operated, it is free-to ride over the shoulder 39 during the remainder of the closing movement of the case, the spring 28 coming to rest against a limiting stop 40.

This closing movement also brings a cap element 41 intohooded relation to the wick for extinguishing the flame after each use of the devise.

It will thus be apparent that I have de vised a very neat, simple and compact construction for carrying out all the desired objects of the invention. There are no unnecessary parts for any waste of space, and

the igniting mechanism is entirely automatic in its operation. It is furthermore apparent that the ig'niting or sparking operation takes place only after the case has been entirely opened, and after the beginning of the clos ing movement of the case, and not before the flame is needed; in this position also the position of the case sections is such as to shield the use of the flame and prevent its being accidentally extinguished by any air currents. Moreover, the spring member 28 is left free from any tension or strain except in the open position of the case, when it is ready for action upon the release of the detent member, as will be readily understood in the light of the foregoing description.

A filling cap l2 is provided as is usual in such lighting devices, to permit replenishment or thesupply of liquid into the recepie a j While Ihave shown and described what I now regard as the preferred form of construction for embodying my improvements, I desire to reserve the right to make all such changes or modifications as may fairly fall within thes'cope of the appended claims.

Having (thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patout is:

said sections and including a spark-emitting device, a detent element acting to restrain operation of said device, and means actuated by the initial closing movement of said case sections to release said detent element and permit operation 01. said device to produce a spark.

3. A combination cigarette case and lighter comprising hingedly connected case sections, a lighter mechanism enclosed between said sections and including a spring-actuated spark-emitting device, means for tensioning said device in response to relative movement of said case sections, and a detent element acting to hold said device under tension and operated by the initial closing movement of the sections to release the device to produce a spark. 1

l. A combination cigarette case and lighter comprising hingedly connected case sections, a lighter mechanism enclosed between said sections comprising a rotary spark producing element, a gear and segment for actuating said element, a spring operatively connected with said segment and adapted to be placed under tension by relative move ment of the case sections, and a detent ele ment restraining operation of said rotary element until the beginning of the closing movement of the sections and released by said closing movement-to permit operative movement of said rotary element in response to the action of said spring.

In witness whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JOSEPH E. BARNES. 

